Notes and Editorial Reviews

This recording quickly became one of my Christmas favorites, not only for its world-class singing and vocal ensemble (a young Mark Padmore is in the tenor section) but for its consistently tranquil and gently enveloping sound world – just like a lullaby, except more varied and musically interesting.
Christmas Night includes twenty-two carols that range from the familiar-but-not-done-to-death to premieres of three John Rutter originals. No Frosty, Rudolph, or
Hallelujah, this is smaller-scale music appropriate to the birth of a child in a stable, without bombast or triumphalism. The singing has both finely honed dynamic nuances and, for lack of a better term, a gentle swing that is apparent from the opening track,
InRead more Dulci Jubilo.

– John Marks, Listen [Winter 2011]

"The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the program contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time--"Christmas Night," "There is a flower," and "Nativity Carol." Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section." – David Vernier

Some of these carols have long been widely known and loved; others have become so thanks to the annual Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge; a few are newly written. But all of them focus on the central event of the Christmas story – the birth at Bethlehem – and on the characters in that story: the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, and the mother with her child.Read less

There is a flowerby John Rutter Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Period: 20th Century Written: England Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 4 Minutes 4 Secs. Language: English

Once as I rememberby Traditional Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 28 Secs. Language: English Notes: Arranged: Wood

I sing of a maidenby Patrick Hadley Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Period: 20th Century Written: by 1936; England Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 54 Secs. Language: English

16.

Lute-Book Lullaby "Sweet was the song the virgin sang"by William Ballet Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Period: Baroque Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 5 Secs. Language: English Notes: Arranged: Shaw

I saw a maidenby Traditional Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 52 Secs. Language: English Notes: Arranged: Pettman

21.

Away in a mangerby William James Kirkpatrick Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Period: 20th Century Written: USA Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 12 Secs. Language: English Notes: Arranged: Rutter

22.

All my heart this night rejoicesby Johann Georg Ebeling Conductor:
John Rutter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cambridge Singers,
City of London Sinfonia
Venue: Great Hall, Univ College School, London Length: 2 Minutes 12 Secs. Language: English

Featured Sound Samples

In dulci jubilo (Traditional)

In the Bleak Mid-Winter (Darke)

All My Heart This Night Rejoices (Ebeling)

Candlelight Carol (Rutter)

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: ( 1 Customer Review )

Lovely & calmingDecember 23, 2015By Mary B. (Long Beach, CA)See All My Reviews"This is perfect for sitting with a cup of hot chocolate and looking at the lights on your tree. It is also perfect to play while you're chopping, slicing, sauteing, mixing, and washing in the kitchen. It's just a beautiful little collection of music to make you feel serene at Christmas time."Report Abuse